Mechanism for applying labls to articles



May 26, 1942. v e. w. -VQN HOFE MECHANISM FOR APPLYING LABELS To ARTICLES Filed May '7, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.1. 5/

INV OR. 95056: 14 Yo OFE' A TTaeA/EY May 26, 2. G. w. VON HOFE 2,284,311

MECHANISM FOR APPLYING LABELS 'IO ARTICLES Filed May 7, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ami 4 INVEN OR. 7 650865 J L ro/v are MMQ A Tree/V5) Patented May 26, 1942 lTED STATES PAT r OFFICE-L MECHANISM FOR APPLYING- LABELS' To ARTICLES George W. von Hofe, Bound Brook, N. J assignor. to New Jersey Machine Corporation, Hoboken, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application May 7, 1941, Serial No. 392,271

10. Claims.

maintain said strips of material in a normal fiat condition and to restore them thereto.

The invention has for its object the provision of a novel and eiicient mechanism whereby application of labels or strips of material of the indicated type is facilitated and simplified;

The invention contemplates particularly a novel mechanism whereby the adhesive application of such labels or strips of material when deformed out of their normal fiat condition, to thearticles, as exemplified by the application .of conventional excise revenue stamps to the ends and sides of bottles and the like, is rendered eificient and certain. 7

The invention contemplates particularly 3 a novel mechanism .whereby existing difficulties inherent in the adhesive application of such labels folding lines 22 are produced on strips a such as excise revenue stamps, while the latter are being conveyed to the label disposal station. "Subsequent to the provision of the folding linesh the strip ais deposited on the end of the bottled or other article with the intermediate" section 6 in registry with said end of thebottle d 'or other or strips of material, when deformed out of their example of the invention without defining its limits, i i

Fig. l is a sectional elevation of a labeling machine provided with the novel mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a'fragmentary front elevation of the labeling machine;

Fig. 3 is a detail View of the novel mechanism,

and

article in which position the foldinglinesxb are in approximate tangential relationto thebottle other article to cause said end sections to ad here thereto; The provision of the folding lines b on the strip or label a makes it definitely certain that the end sections fwill be folded at right angles to the intermediate section eof, the strip or label a and thereby insure a uniform application of said end sections to the opposite sides of the bottle cl or other article in matching po- Fig. 4 is a perspective View illustrating a step in the application of the label or strip of material to an article.

In carrying out the novel application to the articles, the strips a of material, such as for in.- stance, conventional excise revenue stamps, are provided with definite. folding lines 1) extending transversely of the length of the strips at points spaced apart to an extent corresponding to the end Width 0 of the bottle cl or other article, to divide the strip into an intermediate section e and opposite end sections 1 foldably connected therewith at the folding lines 12. Preferably the.

sitionsthereon. Without such folding lines D the folding of the end sections of the strip or label will be haphazard particularly when the surface of the article such as the topof the bottle d is round, and ofttimes results in irregular applicationof and unsightly appearance of the applied strip or label. In some instances, the method may include the steps of moistening each strip or label a on one surface thereof, then applying the coating of adhesiveto the opposite surface of the strip or label a to render the same ad'- hesive and to further moisten the same. The method in addition may include the steps of again moistening thelabel or strip a coincidentally with its adhesive application to the article, and of applying the pressure to complete said application, in the presence of heat.

For-the purpose of illustrating the-novel mechanism and its operation in carrying out the novel application to the articles, I have selected a labeling machine designed primarily for adhesively-applying strips of material as exemplified for instance by conventional excise revenue stamps, to the tops and opposite side surfaces of bottles or other articles. It will be understood that the illustrated labelingmachine is in no sense intended to define the limits of application and use of the novel mechanism,

The illustrated machine comprises a supporting frame If! of appropriate type and dimensions on which a suitable container or hopper H is mounted in position for proper co-operation with theassociated elements of the machine. The container or hopper I I contains a supply of strips of material or labels l 2in the form of an upright stackfrom the upper end of which successive terminal labels are removed in individual sequence for application to the articles for which said labels [2 are intended. In the instant case,

the labels l2 are exemplified by conventional exa rock-shaft 28 suitably mounted on the frame I0.

Because of the inherent stiffnessof the labels 12, as exemplified by conventional excise revenue Patent No. 2,238,436 of April 15, 1941.

cise revenue stamps,and the articles are exempli fied by the bottles d to which said labels are adhesively applied so as to extend over the stoppers and along two opposite upright surface portions of said bottles (1 in the well-known way. When fully applied, the labels 12 are thus of inverted U-shape and in the conventional manner prevent tampering with the stoppers of said bottles d without damage to the labels l2. Because of the the resultant tendency to'retu'rnto a flat condition, the aforesaid applicationof said labels I2 method and in the instant mechanism as will be fully set 'forth' hereinafter.

Any suitable provision'may be made forperiodicallyrestoring the upper end of the stack of labels l2 to a predetermined level in proper operativerelation to the associated elements of 'the machine.

I As the means for effecting the aforesaid restoration does not per seconstitute a part of the novel arrangement, onlya frag- 'mentary' exemplificationthereof is included in the illustrated machine; With the type of mechanism for periodically elevating the stack -of-labels l2, the containerorhopper is pro vided with a vertically adjustable bottom on which the stack of labels l2 is supported. The aforesaidbottom of the container or hopper II is carried by a vertical rack which meshes with a pinion'fixed upon a shaft l3 journalled-onthe frame ID. in any conventional manner. A

of a pawl l5 and held against unintentional return movement'by astop-pawl l6 suitably piv- -oted upon the frame It. The pawl is'pivotally mounted upon an operating member-l1 which itself is mounted to rock upon the shaft l 3 and in-practice carries a roller arranged to 'be operatively acted upon' by a suitable cam mounte'd'on the frame win any convenient manner, for instance as shown in my Patent predetermined point, An' arrangement of the 'kind described is shownin myaforesaid Patent No. 2,227,81ajf V The stack elevating mechanism is controlled by'mearis of a feeler2l arranged to engage the upperend of the stack of labels l2,'and vertically 'sllidable in an upright guide 22 on the frame l0;' the feeler 2! is pivotally connected at 23 w'ithfla bell-crank lever 24 fixed upon a shaft 25 journalled on the frame J0 and prolation to a cam 21. The

The member I inherent stiffness of the strips orlabels 12, as V exemplified by the aforesaid revenue stamps, and

the manner indicated above, presents difiiculties which are efliciently overcome with the novel *ratchetwheel l4 isalso secured upon the shaft' 13 and may be intermittently operated by means i In the machine as illustrated, the means whereby individual labels I2 are successively removed fromfithe top of the stack in the container'or hopper I I, and transferred therefrom to the poilnt of application to the articles exemplified by the bottle d, is of the suction operated or vacuum type, and per se may be of any suitable construction. As shown, the label transferring means consists of a carriage 29 slidably mounted for reciprocation on a horizontal g'uiderail 30 supported onthe frame I0 in any convenient manner. Inthe illustrated example, the means whereby the" carriage 29 is reciprocated on the rail 30 comprises'an arm 3| fixed upon the shaft and-having its free end pivotally and yieldingly connected with a coupling rod 32 which in turn is pivotally connected at 33 Witha lug 34 forming part of or fixed upon the carriage 29, as shown in Fig. 1.

The mechanism whereby the shaft 28 is rocked on 'its'axis to correspondingly operate-the arm 3| and thereby effect the reciprocation of the carriage 29 on the rail 30, maybe similar to that shown in my previously mentioned Patent No. 2,227,816. 7

The carriage 29 supports a member 35 capable offvertic'al reciprocation thereon and provided 'at its lower end witha suction head 36 of any suitable type and: having a suction nipple 31 for accommodating one end of a suction hose 38, as illustrated Fig. l. The suction hose 38 is connected 'with a source of suction suitably controlled in any conventional manner to provide the desired results. i V

The member 35 is vertically movable on the carriage 29 at one end of the reciprocation thereof to pick up a terminal label l2 from the top'of the stack in the hopper I], and at the other terminal of said reciprocation to dispose of the picked up label for application to a bottle 11 or other article. During the movement of the carriage 29 from thelabel pick-up station to the label disposal station, the member 35 is held againstdownward movement on the carriage 29 by means of a roller 39 which travels along a fixed rail 40 recessed at the proper points to permit the desired'downward movementsrof the member 35 and with it the suction head 36.

V stack in the-hopper II are provided with a coatmg of adhesive on their lower surfaces during the transfer of said labels from the pick-up station to the disposal station. This adhesive coating, in addition to its other functions, may serve to moisten the reverse surface of' each label subsequently to moistening of the face of said label by the spray from the feeler head; the softening effect of said spray may thus be augmented by gases 1 1 the softening action of thejadhesive coating cation: or the labelstakes .place. For thisv pur whereby the'inherent stiiiness of. said labels l2, exemplifiedby conventional revenue stamps, may

be still further reduced and said labels. may be converted to a condition of flexibility which facilitates their application to the bottles d or other articles.

For the purpose of applying said coating ofv adhesive tosuccessive labels i2,'the machine includes adhesive applying means consisting, for instance of an adhesive applying roll 4| suitably mounted in the machine in tangential receiving relation to a suitably mounted adhesive distributing roll t2 which dips into a supply of adhesive in a container 43 fixed'in place in any elevated and will pass over and-above saidapply ing roll 4i and accordingly will not engage the same. a l

The labeling machine in it's illustrated .form includes, supporting means located at the disposal stationfor receiving successive adhesive coated labels I2 from the suction head 36 and for supporting said labels 42 in predetermined applying relation to the bottles (I or' other articles. In the selected example. the aforesaid supporting means includes carrying members 45 located in spaced registry at a common level for instance, as shown in Fig. 2. During an operative cycle of the machine an adhesive coated label I2 is deposited by the suction head 36 upon said carrying member 4 3 with the opposite end portions of said label l2 in temporary adhesive connection therewith and the intermediate port-ion of said label l2 extending between and spanning the space between said carrying members 44. The arrangement is such that the label I2 will be supported in predetermined label applying relation to the article to which itis to be applied, as for instance, at a level coincidental'with the upper surface of the stopper whereby the bottles at are closed, as illustrated in Fig. 2; because of the tacky condition of the adhesive coating at this stage, the label. I2 at its opposite ends will adhere to the carrying members 44 in temporary adhe-' sive connection therewith and accordingly will be supported in predetermined applying relation to V the particular bottle d or other article.

As shown in Figs. 1 and'Z, the carrying members 44 comprise integral parts of'a depending web 35 which extends between and is carried by levers Z6 fixed upon and. projecting upwardly from a rock shaft 4'! suitably journalled on the frame it. For the purpose of adjusting the carrying members W from an operative label applying position to an inoperative position to permit the bottles d or other articles to be brought to labeling position without interference, any suitable means may be provided for rocking the shaft 31, for instance as shown in my previously mentioned Patent No. 2,238,436. A spring 48 may be connected with one of the levers 48 and with a pin on the frame ID for maintaining the carrying members ed in their normal operative position and for returning said members thereto.

In the illustrated machine, the bottles d or other articles to be labeled are conveyed in intermittent steps over a given path which includes render the same moist, and, as shown, are pro pose-the'illustrated machine is provided'with a carrier comprising a-turntable 49 having a plurality of: upright receptacles 59 located circumferentially at, regularly spaced. intervalsv and shaped and: dimensioned; to accommodate. the bottles d and. to hold them in upright POSitioIiS on said turntable 49" as, indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1. 1

In l the. exampleof the machine selected for purposes of. illustration and description, the carrier or turntableQis provided witha plurality of v In addition to the parts so far described, the

I machine includes a' first applying ,means foreffecting the initial application of a label I2 to a bottle d orother article, and located at a first applying station as in my Patent, No. 2,238,436. As shown, this applying means comprises a slide.-

member 5| slidably mounted in a verticalguideway fixed upon the frame If! in any convenient manner. The slide-member 5| carries a guide bracket 52 which preferably is 'removablyfixed in place.' A pressure slide 53 carrying a suitable pressure device 54 at its'lower end is slidably mounted in. said guide bracket 52 in surface en-.

gagement with theslide-member 5| and slidable relatively thereto as will appear more fully hereinafter. A spring 55 has its one end connected with the guide bracket 52 and its other end attached to the pressure slide 5 3 and causes the pressure device 54 to develop an operative pressure on the label 12 in'the application thereof to the bottle (I or otherarticle, as will be more clearly described hereinafter. In addition to the.

above, the applying means includes pressure levers 56 pivctally mounted at 51 and continued in the form'of oppositely directed arms 58 which intersect each other as shown in Fig. 2, and terminate in depending ends 59 to which pressure pads 60 of suitable material, preferably yielding in character, are secured in any convenient manner.

The ends 59 are preferably constructed ina mannor to supply liquid to the pressure pads 60 to vided'with nipples 6| for the accommodation of tubes 62 connected with, a suitable source of Y moistening liquid. In the preferred arrangement the pressure pads 60 in addition to being yielding in character, may be shaped at least at their active surfacesto fit the surface'of the bottles at or other articles to which the labels H are to be applied. a

In any case the pressure levers 56 may be provided at their upper ends with rollers 63 and.

preferably are connected --at said upper ends by a spring 64 tending to force the pressure pads 60 toward each other.

The guideway, as shown in Fig. 2, includes bearing lugs 65 in which pivot pins 66 are jour- V nalled, said pivot pins 66 carrying operating levers 61 and 6'! which control the operation of the pressure levers 55 and the pressure pads thereof. The operating levers 61 and 61 throughout I a portion of their length are provided with outer side flanges 68 extending for a predetermined diserating means, for instance as shown in my pretance' from their lower ends, and with opposed inner side flanges which extend in parallel spaced relation to the outer side flanges 68 and upwardly beyond the same to provide surfaces along which the rollers 63 of the pressure levers 56 travel, in the operation of the mechanism as will be described more fully hereinafter. With this construction, the operating levers 61 and 61' at their lower end portions are channelled in cross-section for the. accommodation of the aforesaid rollers 63'to thereby operatively connect the pressure levers 56 with the operating levers 61 and 61 respectively, at a given period in the operative cycle of the machine, as will be more particularly set forth further on in; the description.

The operating levers 61 and G'I'Fare coupled together for coincidental operation inthe intended manner in any suitable way. For instance, as shown in Fig. 2, said. levers 61 and 61 are provided respectively with lugs'69 and 18 which project laterally from said levers in directions toward each other, and in superimposed overlapping registry with each other. In the preferred arrangement, one of said lugs 69 or" carries an adjustable projectiori' adapted to en- E gage the other lug; in the illustrated construction, the adjustable projection is exemplified by a screw 1| threaded in the lug I8 and bearing against the lug 69'as'shown in Fig. 2. ;A.spring 12 having its one end connected with an extension of the lug l0 and its other end attached to anear 13 on the operating member 61 serves to yieldingly maintain said screw H or its equivalent in bearing contact with the'lug 69.

Any'suitable mechanism may be provided for actuating the levers 61 and 61 and their associated elements in operative synchronism with the other parts of the machine. For instance, as shown in the selected example, the operating member 61 may constitute an integral part of or be connected with an arm 14 having a forked free end in which a bearing pin 15 is pivotally mounted. A connecting rod 16 is slidably mounted in saidbearing pin 15 and is threaded at its upper end for the accommodation of nuts 11,? against one of which one end of' a spring 1.8 bears; the other end of said spring 18 engages the bearing pin 15 to thereby provide a resilient connection between said arm 14 and connecting .rod 16. The lower end of the latter is operatively 5 connected with suitable operating mechanism,-for I instance, as disclosed in my Patent No. 2,238,436.

In the operation of the machine, the slide member 5| is slidably shifted in its guideway to 83 with the other arm 86 of the bracket I9, said arm preferably beingprovided with'aslot 84' in Y which the pivot 83 is adjustably mounted to enable the operative rockingmovements of the bracket 19 to be selectively adjusted. --The actuating member 82 is connected with suitable opviously mentioned Patent No. 2,238,436.

The machine furthermore includes additional applying means operating substantially to the first supplying means, and operative forinstance at a second label applyingstationas in my Pat- .75

chine.

with adhesive applying roll 41 by means of ent .No..2 ,2 38,436.' As shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the "aforesaid additional applying means may correspond in construction and operation substantially to the first applying means located at the first applying station. In the second applying means suitable provision is preferably made in any convenient manner for heating the pressure pads for the purpose to be more fully described hereinafter; in the selected example, the heating means is'diagrammatically i1- lustrated as an electrical device connected with a source of electricity by means of the wires 85 in Fig. 2. r

The machine may be operatively driven in any convenient manner, for instance as shown in my Patent No. 2,238,436 referred to hereinbefore.

The novel mechanism whereby the strips or labels l2 are provided with transverse folding lines b at points spaced apart to a predetermined extent generally corresponding to the surface or end width of the article d may be of any suitable character and may be located at a convenient point in the machine for co-operation with the. other elementsthereof' in predetermined and proper timing. In the preferred arrangement, the aforesaid mechanism is located and designed to produce the transverse folding linesb on the strips or labels I2 while the latter are in place on the suction head 36and being transferred thereby .to the label disposal station.

In the illustrated example, the novel mechanism comprises a pair of co-operating wheels 86 having peripheral edges designed to produce the folding lines I), for instance, by creasing the strips or labels [2 without however at anytime cutting. entirely through said strips-or labels I2. The wheels 86 are mounted on a shaft 81 preferably'so. as to be adjustable lengthwise thereof and may be fixed in. adjusted positions on said shaft 81 by set screws 88 or the like. provision may be made to insure rotation of the wheels 86 with the shaft 81 as by means of keys 89 on the shaft and co-operating keyways on the wheels. able bearings 96 on the frame H] of the machine and may be driven in any convenient manner. In order to secure the production of the folding lines D in the most eflicient manner and to avoid the possibility of cutting through the strips or labels l2, the activeface of the suction head 36 or its equivalent preferably is provided with surface creasing grooves 36 located so as to register with the peripheral edges of the wheels 86.

As shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the wheels 86 are located ata point between the container 'or hopper H and the'adhesive applying roll ll with their peripheries in proper co-operative relation to the creasing grooves 36 of the suction head 36 and to the strip or label 12 as the latter is transferred by said suction head 36 toward the label disposal or applying station of the ma- The shaft 81 is operatively connected sprockets 9| and a connecting sprocket chain 92,

it being understood that the adhesive rolls 4| and '42 are suitably driven and accordingly transmit rotary motion to said shaft 81 and wheels '86. It will be obvious that the wheels 86 and their associated elements may be otherwise located in the machine than is shown in Fig. 1 and be otherwise driven than is disclosed therein.

In describing the operation of the machine and the novel mechanism embodied therein, it will be assumed that labels l2 exemplified byconventional excise revenue stamps are being applied If desired,

The shaft 61 may be joumalled in suitoperated to cause the slide member-ito move to the topsand necks of bottles d, it being'un- V derstood that this is done for-convenience and with no intent to thereby define or limit the range of utility of the novel mechanism.

With the parts in a position-shown in- Fig. 1, the feeler 2|, is in contact with the current terminal label [2 and the top of the supply stack;

at this stage, the upper surface of said terminal label l2 may bein the process of being moistened by the spray of liquid which issues from the feeler. By the action of the cam 21 on the roller 26 and bell-crank lever 24, the feeler 2! is moved up and down in predetermined timing with the other steps in the operative cycle of the machine, and at the proper moment is elevated in the guide 2:! to move the feeler 2i upwardly away from the supply stack of labels l2. As this upward movement takes place, the spray of liquid issuing from said feeler is automatically shut off.

In proper operative synchronism with the above steps, the suction head 36 is-l-ifted on the carriage 29 to a level above the adhesive applying roll 4! and above the level of the creasing wheels 36. In Fig. 1 it may be assumed that the suction head 36 is being raised subsequent to the deposit thereby of a label I2 on the carrying members 4d in position for application to a bottle d or other article. In such raised condition of the suction head 36 the carriage 2% is shifted to the right on the rail 30 to bring the elevated suction head 36 to the pick-up station in vertical registry with the supply stack of labels 12in the hopper or container H.

'Inproper timing, the suctienhead 3% is moved downwardly on the carriage 29 into surfaceoontact with thecurrent terminal label i2 atthe top of the supply stack, which terminallabel l2 may previously have received an initial moistening by the spray from the feeler 2!. At this stage, suction is automatically developed in the suction head 36 and the latter is raised on the cariage '29 to thereby pick up or remove said terminal label 12 from the supply stack. The label I; thus carried on the suction head 36 is transported thereby toward the left in Fig. l

by the shifting of the carriage 29 along the rail iii? and brings said label into operative relation with the creasing wheels 85 and causes the latter to force said carried label l2 into the creasing grooves 36 and thereby produce the folding lines o transversely of the carried label as the latter is progressively carried along by the suction head 35. Subsequently to the production of the folding lines b on the carried label l2, the latter will be moved in progressive tangential contact with the adhesive applying roll- Al to receive therefrom a coating of adhesive which, in addition to its other functions, serves to moisten the lower surface of said label. The movement. of

the carriage 2t and its associated parts is continued until the suction head with the label i2 thereon is in vertical registry with the carrying members #5 5 at the label applying station of th machine.

In the meantime a capped bottle at has been placed in upright position in a receptacle 5B and by the operation of the turntable 49 is brought to the label applying station of the machine. In the illustrated example the arrangement is suchthat, at this stage the capped end of said bottle d is beneath'and in registry with approximately the intermediate section 6 of the label 12 so that the latter is supported in symmetrical applying relation to said capped end of the bottle d.

In proper operative sequence, the arm 89 is downwardly in its guideway and" to bring the pressure device 54 into contact with the intermediate portion e of the label l2 which is forced downwardly into contact with the capped end of said bottle (1 whereupon the downward movement of the pressure device 54 will be arrested. The slide member 5| will however continue to move downwardly independently of and relatively to the pressure slid 53, and the spring 55 will thereby be stretched under tension which -is transmitted to the pressure slide 53 and pressure device54 and causes the latter to firmly press the intermediate portion e of the lab'el"l2 into adhesive engagement with the capped endof the bottle at and holds said label in place thereon. In the continuing operation -of the mechanism the pressure levers 56 will be coupled to the operating-levers 61 and 61. As said pressure members 56 thus travel downwardly, the outer-end sections f of the label [2 will be engaged and withdrawn thereby from the carrying members 34 and will be folded upon the folding lines b downwardly along the opposite sides of the neck oi the bottle d in uniform, corresponding relation thereto; at this. stage, the pressure pads 69 are correspondingly located upon said opposite sides of the bottle neck. a

At the proper time, the operating levers 51 and Si are actuated to operate the pressure levers 56 in a manner to shift the pressure pads toward each other. The downwardly bent' or folded outer end sections 1 of the label I2 are thereby brought into engagement with the heel: of the bottle at upon opposite sides thereof insubstantially symmetrical relation to eachother and as the operative actioncontinues are pressed into adhesive engagement therewith by said pressure pads 60. V I

Aspreviously stated, the pressure pads 60 may be moistened so that'theilabel i2 which previously may have been moistened at the pickup station and by the coating of adhesive .applied'by the roller 4| is again moistened by said pressure pads been completed, the turntable 49 will be rotated -00 at this stage; the latter moistening preferably takes'place coincidentally with the application of the end sections) of the label I2 tothe bottle neck. The stiffness normally iinhererit'in said label I2 is thereby still further reduced so that the label may be manipulated in the indicated manner with its tendency to spring backto straight even form reduced to a minimum; This tendency is still further removed by the folding lines b which in some instances make the moistening of the labels as hereinbefore described either wholly or in part unnecessary. Subsequently to these operative steps the additional applying meansreferred to hereinbefore is operated to complete the adhesive application of the label to the bottle d. As previously stated this final pressure is applied in the presence of heat and thereby will quickly remove the previously applied moisture from the label but at the same time will quickly and firmly set the adhesive coating of said label [2.

When the operations of applying the label has to transfer the finally labeled bottle at to a position for removal from the machine by an attendant, or by means of suitable automatically 00- have a tendency. to remain in and return to a normal flat condition. The production of the folding lines 2) divides'the labels; into individual sections which are foldably connected with each other and'thereby have the inherent tendency of the label as a whole to return to and remain in a normal fiat condition neutralized.

The'mechanism'for producing the folding lines b may be adjusted to vary the location of said folding lines and the distance between the same in accordance with the dimensional and other requirements of the articles to which the labels are to'be applied. In any case,'by forcing or indenting the labels into the creasing grooves 36 of .the suction head 36 while the latter car- .ries and transports said labels toward the label tion e thereof into symmetric relation to the a label over a predetermined path for application toan article,- and means for providing said article d for symmetric application thereto to 1 provide labeled articleswhich are slightly and uniform in appearance. 7

Various changes in the specific forms shown and described may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of the invention. 7

I claim:

1. A machine for applying strips, of. material to articles comprising means for producing transverse folding lines on said strips at spaced points thereof to divide said strips into intermediate sections and opposite end sections foldably connected therewith, means for depositing the intermediate section of a strip on anarticle, and means for folding the end sections .of said strip on said folding lines: alongsaid article and for applying said end sections thereto.

a ing the latter with spaced folding lines, and

2. A machine for applying strips of material to an end and opposite sides of articles comprising a support for said articles at an applying station, means for producing transverse folding lines on said strips at points spaced apart to an extent corresponding to the end width of said article to divide said strips into intermediate sections and opposite end sectionsfoldably. connected therewith, means for depositing a strip label withspaced folding lines during the conveyance thereof by saidconveying means.

4.111 a labellngmachine, means for conveyin a label over a predetermined path for application to an article, means for providing said label with spaced folding linesduringthe conveyance thereof by said conveying means; and means for applying adhesive to a surface of said label.

5. In a labeling machine, means for conveying labels over a predetermined path for application to-articles, means for moistening said labels to soften the same, and means for providing said labels with spacedfolding lines during the conveyance thereof by said conveying means.

6. In a labeling machine, means for conveying labels over a predetermined path for application to articles, means for moistening said labels to soften the same, means for providing said labels with spaced'folding lines during the conveyance thereof by said conveying means, and means for applying adhesive to a surface of said labels.

'7. Ina labeling machine, the combination of a container for a supply stack of labels, means for supporting articles in label receiving position, a pick-up device for removing labels from said supply stack and transferring said labels into applying relation to said articles, means located in the path of transfer of said labels for providmeans located in said path of transfer for applying adhesive to a surface of said labels.

8. In a labeling machine, means for supporting a bottle in an upright label receiving position, means for producing spaced folding lines 'ona label to divide the same into an intermediate section and opposite end sections foldably connected therewith, means for applying adhesive to said label, means for applying the intermediate section of said label to the upper end of said bottle, and means for folding the opposite end sections on said folding lines downwardly along the neck of the bottle and adhesively attaching said end sections thereto.

9. In a labeling machine, transporting means for conveying a label over a predetermined path for application to an article, said transporting means being provided on its label carrying face with spaced creasing grooves, and means for forcing the carried label into said creasing grooves to provide said label with spaced folding lines.

'10. In a labeling machine, a suction head adapted to support and carry a label and provided with creasing grooves into which a label carried by said suction head may be indented 3. In a labeling machine, means for conveying V to provide said label with folding lines.

GEORGE W. VON noes. 

